A U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer fatally shot a driver during an immigration enforcement operation in Biddeford, Maine, on Monday, prompting a federal investigation and protests over the agency’s use of deadly force.
According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), ICE officers were conducting surveillance at the last known address of a person with a final deportation order when an individual drove away from the residence. The department said officers pursued the vehicle and an agent opened fire after the driver allegedly attempted to flee, claiming the officer acted out of concern for “public safety.”
DHS did not provide further details explaining how the driver posed an immediate threat.
Immigration advocacy groups identified the deceased as a 26-year-old Colombian man who they said was legally authorised to work in the United States and held a Social Security number. Authorities have not officially confirmed his identity.
However, an eyewitness disputed the official account. Daniel Boucher told Reuters he saw an ICE vehicle ram the victim’s car before officers pulled the wounded driver from the vehicle.
“But I tried to stop,” the injured man reportedly said before losing consciousness, according to Boucher.
Reuters also verified video showing officers attempting to stop a slowly moving white vehicle, while photographs from the scene appeared to show multiple bullet holes in the driver’s side of the windshield.
The incident has triggered investigations by local police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Maine Senator Angus King said updated information indicated the victim was not the individual named in the immigration warrant, adding that investigators must determine whether the use of deadly force was justified.
The shooting sparked protests in Biddeford, where hundreds of demonstrators marched through the town demanding greater accountability from ICE, while others held a candlelight vigil in support of migrants.
The Maine incident is at least the seventh fatal shooting linked to ICE operations since January 2025, following a significant expansion of immigration enforcement under President Donald Trump.